Now that it has been a few weeks and you feel that you can finally take a breath, the thought of beginning of the year assessments crosses your mind. Wait, halt, STOP. Do not let this become overwhelming. There are a few easy items to keep in mind as you're scurrying to put together all of your anecdotal notes, trying to figure out how you are going to thoroughly observe all of your students and be accurate, not to mention relaying information to parents who are eager beavers to know how their child stacks up to the rest of the class. Take a deep breath, relax and stick to the tips I have laid out for you here. Also, see the attached link for more resources on accurately assessing your early childhood students appropriately.
1) Use all of the following domains for your assessments: Cognitive, Social-emotional, behavioral, fine motor, gross motor. You cannot fairly assess each child without assessing in all 5 domains. Remember that learning and growth must encompass the whole child.
2) Give yourself plenty of time. Do not try to rush to complete your assessments until the day before they need to be sent out to parents. On a side note, try to make one note for a few children each day beginning the first week of school. Even if you use sticky notes jot something down that you notice or observe about each child. Stick them into their portfolios during rest times, at the end of the day or whenever you find time.
3) Be honest and precise when you are recording information. Do not sugar coat, do not fluff information. Notate as you observe activities.
4) Remember your assessments is just a starting point for each individual child. They should be used solely as a base point to measure the growth of each child as the year progresses. (I should note however; that there are certain observations that should signify a need for immediate intervention or at a minimum more detailed assessment/in classroom observations by paraprofessionals, parent communication and the support of your director/admin staff.
5) Piggy backing on point 4, please, please, please remember that if you suspect something, feel any bit of concern it is IMPERATIVE to report and discuss your concerns with your administrative staff, parents to ensure that number 1, you have all necessary information concerning your student, that you can provide developmentally appropriate care and learning opportunities for all of your students. Even if nothing comes of your initial intuition or concern, you can be confident that you have reached out to provide the best care for all of your students.
6) *Create portfolios for all children including work samples, art, fine motor activities like scissor skills, pencil grip/writing samples, pictures and observations. This DOES NOT need to be complicated. Even if you use a manilla folder for each child, again, add a picture or sample with a quick notation for a few children each week. This will allow you to look back at mid term and end of the year assessment times and also, give your parents/families a physical look at how far their child has grown and developed throughout the year.
There are a variety of free online apps you can take advantage of for digital portfolios, or create your own online folders using a desktop computer or tablet. Digital portfolios are so much easier and can save you a ton of time and allow you to focus on other areas of your classroom.
7) Remember assessments are not a one size fits all!!! Each child is different and progresses at her own pace! Please remember that each child deserves a fair and appropriate assessment and a teacher who is willing to provide that!
See the following helpful links for additional tools and tips for assesments:
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/books/excerpt-from-spotlight-observation-assessment
https://www.pre-kpages.com/assessment-tools-pre-k-teachers/
https://www.teachthought.com/technology/8-educational-apps-to-create-digital-portfolios/
https://preschoolinspirations.com/parent-teacher-communication-apps/
Happy ASSESSING!
Comments